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LOCAL COLLEGES: Savannah State pulls away from North Florida

Preston Blackman scored 21 points and Rashad Hassan scored all 11 of his points in the second half as Savannah State defeated North Florida 54-47 Wednesday in a nonconference matchup.

Blackman was 8 of 11 from the field — including 3 of 6 from deep — while Hassan was 5 of 8.

North Florida (1-2) led 30-22 at halftime and pushed that lead to 11, 33-22, behind two free throws from Parker Smith to start the second half. Savannah State, however, used a 19-7 run to retake the lead, 41-40, with 12 minutes left to play. Hassan scored eight points during the run and Blackman added seven.

Savannah State (2-1) would not relinquish the lead, using free throws and tough defense to seal the victory.

Smith led North Florida with 17 points but the Ospreys made just 2 of 9 shots and committed eight turnovers over the final 12 minutes.

As part of a campus-wide effort to help the victims of Hurricane Sandy, the Armstrong Atlantic State University athletic department is offering free admission to anyone who donates to the relief effort when the Armstrong’s women’s basketball team plays host to the Fairfield Inn & Suites Pirate Classic Friday and Saturday.

For Armstrong students, faculty and staff, who get into the games for free with their Pirate card, they will be given a free Pirate T-shirt for their donation.

Specifically, the university is asking for bottled water, peanut butter and disinfectant hand wipes. Armstrong is partnering with Savannah Responds, a local non-profit organization that has been coordinating with the Governor’s Office in New Jersey to get donated items to where they are needed most.

Armstrong opens the Pirate Classic on Friday against Lynn University at 7 p.m. The Pirates will follow that game on Saturday with a 3:30 p.m. tipoff versus Anderson University. Flagler College plays Anderson at 5 p.m. on Friday and Lynn at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday.

For more information, contact Assistant Athletic Director Michael Smoose at 912-344-3236 or michael.smoose@armstrong.edu.